Writer-producer Michael R. Fisher dies

Worked on 'Starsky and Hutch,' 'Bonanza'

Michael R. Fisher, who wrote and produced hundreds of TV episodes for shows including “Starsky and Hutch,” “Fantasy Island” and “Mission Impossible,” died Dec. 31 in Peterborough, N.H. He was 69.

Born in New York, he grew up in the Los Angeles area; his father Steve Fisher was also a TV and screenwriter.

Michael Fisher started out writing for Westerns including “Bonanza,” “Gunsmoke” and “The Virginian,” then wrote for “Ironsides” and “Starsky and Hutch.” Fisher served as exec producer on “Fantasy Island,” also writing several episodes. In the 1980s, he served as exec producer on “Mission: Impossible” and “True Blue.”

He also wrote two novels, “Cries from the Darkness” and “The Nightmare Man.”

Fisher is survived by his wife, Helen, eight children, nine grandchildren, a sister and a brother.